Psalms 28

1 [A Psalm] of David. To thee, O Lord, have I cried; my God, be not silent toward me: lest thou be silent toward me, and so I should be likened to them that go down to the pit.

Of David. My cry goes up to you, O Lord, my Rock; do not keep back your answer from me, so that I may not become like those who go down into the underworld.

2 Hearken to the voice of my supplication, when I pray to thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy temple.

Give ear to the voice of my prayer, when I am crying to you, when my hands are lifted up to your holy place.

3 Draw not away my soul with sinners, and destroy me not with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace with their neighbours, but evils are in their hearts.

Do not take me away with the sinners and the workers of evil, who say words of peace to their neighbours, but evil is in their hearts.

4 Give them according to their works, and according to the wickedness of their devices: give them according to the works of their hands; render their recompense unto them.

Give them the right reward of their acts, and of their evil doings: give them punishment for the works of their hands, let them have their full reward.

5 Because they have not attended to the works of the Lord, even to the works of his hands, thou shalt pull them down, and shalt not build them up.

Because they have no respect for the works of the Lord, or for the things which his hands have made, they will be broken down and not lifted up by him.

6 Blessed be the Lord, for he has hearkened to the voice of my petition.

May the Lord be praised, because he has given ear to the voice of my prayer.

7 The Lord is my helper and my defender; my heart has hoped in him, and I am helped: my flesh has revived, and willingly will I give praise to him.

The Lord is my strength and my breastplate, my heart had faith in him and I am helped; for this cause my heart is full of rapture, and I will give him praise in my song.

8 The Lord is the strength of his people, and the saving defender of his anointed.

The Lord is their strength, and a strong place of salvation for his king.

9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: and take care of them, and lift them up for ever.

Be a saviour to your people, and send a blessing on your heritage: be their guide, and let them be lifted up for ever.